Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana hit cinemas on Thursday, but its journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth. Starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Goddess Sita and Yash as Ravana, the two-part mythological epic has attracted attention for its scale, casting and creative choices. However, it has also found itself at the centre of several controversies, some of which date back to its early stages of development.

From questions over Ranbir’s suitability to portray Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi’s casting as Sita to criticism of AR Rahman’s music, the film’s visual effects and costume design, almost every major promotional reveal has triggered debate. Even reported disputes over script rights and alleged footage leaks have brought the project into the legal spotlight.

Mounted on a budget of Rs 4,000 crore, the film is among the biggest cinematic ventures in Indian cinema. With its first instalment scheduled for a Diwali release, here are 10 controversies that have kept Ramayana in the headlines.

1. AR Rahman’s music faces backlash

The music of Ramayana, composed by AR Rahman in collaboration with Hans Zimmer, has been one of the film’s most debated aspects. The songs Mangal Rang and Ravana Tandav drew criticism from sections of the audience.

Mangal Rang, which celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya, faced criticism for its perceived Sufi influences and qawwali-style elements. Some listeners felt that the musical treatment did not align with their expectations of a traditional soundtrack for a mythological epic. Others compared portions of the composition to Rahman’s earlier work, including Enna Solla Pogirai from Kandukondain Kandukondain and Kun Faya Kun from Rockstar.

The electronic treatment of Ravana Tandav also divided listeners, with some questioning whether it captured the intensity associated with the character.

Responding to the criticism, Rahman defended his creative process. Quoting Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, he said, “If you want to satisfy everyone, go sell ice cream.”

In an interview with Screen, the composer explained that he does not rush to judge his compositions. He said that a piece of music can take months to develop, with several rounds of thought and reconsideration before it reaches its final form. Rahman also described himself as his own first critic, clarifying that he does not automatically approve of everything he creates.

2. VFX criticism and AI-generated imagery allegations

The film’s visual effects became another major talking point after its first promotional footage was released. While some viewers appreciated the scale of the palace interiors, Ravana’s arrival and the Pushpaka Vimana, others felt that certain sequences, particularly those set in the forest, looked artificial.

Several social media users questioned the quality of the computer-generated imagery, with some suggesting that parts of the footage resembled AI-generated visuals or unfinished green-screen work.

The makers subsequently released behind-the-scenes videos showcasing the physical sets and the effort involved in creating the film’s world. However, these clips also attracted criticism, highlighting the challenge of meeting expectations for a project of this scale.

Ranbir Kapoor addressed the criticism, pointing out that audiences sometimes mistake time-consuming, manually created CGI for AI-generated imagery. Producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari also maintained that the trailer featured unfinished visual effects and that the film was designed to offer a larger experience on IMAX 3D screens.

Yash, who plays Ravana, also appealed to audiences to approach the film with an open mind rather than focus on minor imperfections. He spoke about the investment producer Namit Malhotra had made in the project, saying that he had put his reputation and money at stake to take the film to a global platform.

The actor warned that if filmmakers willing to back such ambitious projects did not receive audience support, the industry could lose opportunities to attempt similar ventures in the future.

3. Sai Pallavi’s casting as Sita sparks debate

Sai Pallavi’s casting as Goddess Sita has been among the most discussed aspects of the film. Following the release of its promotional material and trailer, the actor faced scrutiny over her appearance, screen presence, makeup, hairstyle and Hindi diction.

Some viewers questioned whether her look matched their expectations of Sita, while others brought regional representation into the conversation, questioning the casting of a South Indian actor in the role.

Her costumes also became a subject of debate, with some viewers expressing reservations about the blouse designs and overall styling. Questions were raised about whether the choices reflected the period in which the epic is set.

Costume designer Rimple acknowledged that differing opinions were inevitable, given how deeply the Ramayana is embedded in India’s cultural imagination. Explaining her approach to Sita’s look, she said it was guided by her personal understanding of the goddess rather than an attempt at archaeological reconstruction. She wanted to recreate the image of Sita that had lived in her own consciousness and was familiar to her.

The designer maintained that the choices were deliberate and that the team had approached the costumes with honesty towards its craft.

Sai Pallavi also faced boycott calls after an old interview resurfaced in which she spoke about violence and political and military conflicts. Some social media users questioned her suitability for portraying a revered religious figure.

4. Lara Dutta’s Kaikeyi look sparks blouse row

Lara Dutta’s first look as Queen Kaikeyi in the film’s trailer became another talking point. While some viewers were surprised by her presence in the film, others questioned her costume and overall styling.

In the trailer, Lara is seen wearing a green blouse paired with a maroon saree featuring a gold border. Her straightened, side-parted hair and minimal jewellery completed the look.

Several social media users felt that the designer blouse and salon-styled hair looked too modern for a character from the Treta Yuga. Others drew comparisons between her appearance and the styling seen in Ektaa Kapoor’s television serials.

5. Ranbir Kapoor’s old beef comment resurfaces

Ranbir Kapoor’s casting as Lord Rama also triggered a debate after an old interview from 2011 resurfaced. During the interaction, the actor spoke about his family’s Peshawari food influences and described himself as a fan of mutton, paya and beef.

“I am a mutton, paya, and beef fan. Yeah, I am a big beef fan,” he had said.

The remark prompted criticism from some social media users, who questioned his suitability for portraying the Hindu deity.

The discussion gained further attention after reports suggested that Ranbir had adopted a sattvic lifestyle while preparing for the role. Videos from his family’s Christmas celebrations subsequently circulated online, with some questioning the actor’s reported dietary changes and the image being presented during the film’s promotional campaign.

6. Kareena Kapoor Khan denies rejecting Sita’s role over remuneration

Before Sai Pallavi was announced as Sita, reports claimed that Kareena Kapoor Khan had been approached for the role. Speculation suggested that the actor had allegedly demanded twice her usual remuneration, leading to the negotiations falling through.

Kareena later dismissed the reports in an interview with Zoom, clarifying that she was never the intended choice for the part.

“I don’t even know why I was put into that because I wasn’t the choice for the film,” she said.

The actor also described the reports as fabricated stories and questioned where the speculation had originated. Her clarification put an end to claims that a salary disagreement had prevented her from joining the project.

7. Mukesh Chhabra apologises over Ravana remark

Casting director Mukesh Chhabra also faced criticism over his comments about Ravana during a 2024 podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia.

While discussing the character, Chhabra suggested that Ravana’s actions were partly driven by his love for his sister, Surpanakha. He also drew a parallel between Rama and Ravana, suggesting that both were motivated by love in their own ways.

His remarks did not go down well with several viewers, who felt that the interpretation oversimplified Ravana’s character and the moral framework of the epic.

Following the backlash, Chhabra issued an apology, acknowledging that his comments had hurt people’s sentiments. He clarified that causing offence was never his intention and withdrew his statement.

Can controversies affect Ramayana’s box office?

With its reported Rs 4,000 crore budget, international ambitions and star-studded cast, Ramayana is one of the biggest cinematic bets in Indian cinema. The controversies have ensured that the film remains in the spotlight even before its release.

However, online criticism does not necessarily translate into negative box-office performance. The film’s eventual reception will depend on its storytelling, performances, music and visual effects, as well as how audiences respond to its interpretation of the epic.

For Nitesh Tiwari and his team, the challenge is twofold: delivering a cinematic spectacle that lives up to its scale while convincing audiences that the adaptation respects the emotional, spiritual and cultural significance of the Ramayana.

Ultimately, the audience’s verdict will come when the film reaches theatres.

Source: Hindustan Times